The Wigan boss was speaking after the England Under-21 international came off the bench to score two goals and rescue The FA Cup holders from a potential early exit against MK Dons on Tuesday night.
With the League One side leading their Championship guests thanks to a 10th-minute Luke Chadwick goal, Rosler turned to the loanee from Manchester United as the game reached the hour mark.
Powell’s impact was almost immediate, first equalising on 79 minutes, and then putting the Latics ahead seconds after the first period of extra-time kicked off.
Fact file
- Born: 23 March 1994
- Place: Crewe
- League appearances 2013/14: 18
- Goals: 5
And after the game, Rosler could not hide his delight in how Powell is progressing.
“Nick is a player that excites me. He can play everywhere,” he said.
“At Manchester United he played as one of the midfield players, we’ve played him wide and upfront and as a No9 - he has a fantastic physique, strength, power and technique.
“Every time he plays for me he gives me 110% and that is fantastic.”
The goals were Powell’s ninth and 10th of the season, since completing his season-long loan move from Manchester united at the end of the summer transfer window, and Rosler said that the deal is working well for all parties concerned.
“Nick is in the right place, at the right time to develop and when he gets back to Manchester United they will be getting a young player with a lot of experience,” he added.
“He is a 19-year-old and [at Wigan] he gets an enormous amount of Championship football in a team who will now fight for the play-offs.
“He has to play in a team with the pressure on, every single game to win."
Powell has been a member of the England Under-21 setup this term
Rosler and United boss David Moyes are good friends and have done business together before in their previous roles, and the Latics boss said this relationship and mutual trust also helps the situation.
Jake Bidwell and Adam Forshaw both joined Rosler’s Brentford side from Everton while under Moyes’ watch, and the former Manchester City striker revealed it is a working friendship that benefits all concerned.
“I regularly speak to David Moyes. He knows me very well and I think we have a very good relationship,” he added.
“I loaned players from him [at Brentford] when he was at Everton. He knows we will look after his players. The player is happy, I think David is happy, and I’m very happy – so we hope that it continues.”
Powell’s match-winning cameo also caught the eye of opposition manager Karl Robinson, who added his own high praise.
“From what I’ve seen tonight he looks a very gifted young footballer,” he added.
He’s a poacher, he’s a goalscorer and if he can go and make it at a top club like Manchester United then you have to take your hat off to him.”
